Oranmiyan Reacts To Tribunal Judgment, Says Oyetola Administration Still Legitimate

Following the tribunal judgement in the governorship election petition, the sociocultural organization, Oranmiyan worldwide, has urged the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the entire people of the state to remain calm, saying Governor Gboyega Oyetola administration still legitimate.

The group in a statement issued and personally signed by its Director General, Mr Olajide Sadiq, in Osogbo, on Friday said there is nothing to be worried about as the party has filed an appeal.

Olajide said , going by the position of Chairman of the election petition tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo who had earlier dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke against the declaration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there is no cause for alarm.

“We assure all our people that justice will prevail at last. Justice Sirajo in his dissecting judgment against two other members of the tribunal who declared Adeleke as the winner of the election, disagreed on the issue on non-compliance and the nullification of the rerun.

‘The Chairman held that the returning officer on the governorship election properly ordered rerun election, adding that the rerun election held on September 27 was in order.

“The Chairman held that there is no credible evidence on non compliance by the petitioners, just as he said the petitioners did not consider Section 40(2) of Electoral Act.

“According to Justice Sirajo, all the petitioners witnesses in the 23 unit said that they don’t have problem with the result of the parties, adding that it has not been shown that there was overvoting.

“Justice Sirajo said 90% of processes in the polling units were complied with, and that non recording of the columns has not been shown to amount to substantial non-compliance and has not been shown to affect the result of the election.

“He submitted that by Section 140(2) of the Electoral Act does not permit the Tribunal to deduct votes and declare a winner. Justice Sirajo thereafter dismissed the petition of the PDP and Adeleke.

Sadiq said, justice Siraji’s position is enough for the teeming supporters of APC to know that the victory is sure at the appeal.

He added that the government of the state is still the only legitimate government having the authority to govern the State.

He therefore appreciated the people of the state for their unalloyed support, saying APC would continue to provide dividend of democracy across the nooks and crannies of the state.